Anchor Lights - Is it a Law ?

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by John A

International regs. require a masthead white light.

No. It is to be placed where it can best be seen.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

Boats/laws/rules - words that when used together will result in disagreement!

It seems to really bring out the "expert" in some.

Told you!

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by perchance

For simplicity and general cheapness a lot of boaters here run a solar powered garden light up the backstay for an allround white light. They seem to work quite well.

Well, Perchance, I must strongly disagree with this practice. These lights are NOT bright enough to be seen reliably against shore lights nor from the required 2 or 3 mile distances. Further, they very often do not last out the night hours, becoming ever dimmer as the night proceeds. They in no way meet SOLAS requirements.

We have entered all too many apparently unoccupied anchorages, only to find dark lumps with one or more anemic fireflies perched upon the stern rail or pulpit. Radar and a spotlight have kept us from collision, but this practice (garden lights) is an abomination IMO.

I don't object to their use in conjunction with a proper anchor light -- they may help define the actual size of an anchored yacht -- but as stand alone devices they are sadly lacking.

Cheers,

Jim

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

These lights are NOT bright enough to be seen reliably against shore lights nor from the required 2 or 3 mile distances.

I agree 100%. I come into a lot of anchorages at night and solar garden lights are not enough on their own to keep your boat safe.
Spend $40 on something like this
LED Anchor Light-Waterproof & Rugged for Marine RV and Offgrid Use

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

I don't object to their use in conjunction with a proper anchor light -- they may help define the actual size of an anchored yacht -- but as stand alone devices they are sadly lacking.

Cheers,

Jim

This is my purpose. The objective is to be seen. When one is in close proximity, the top of the mast (60 -80 feet up) can be out of site for someone in a forward motion in poor lighting conditions. I bundle 3 solar lights together for my lantern. And yes, by 2 am they're pretty much exhausted, but so is the water traffic.

The Inland Rules specify that any vessel under 50 meters (164.1') at anchor must exhibit a white 360-degree light where it can be seen and have a two-mile visibility in most situations. Vessels less than 7 meters (23.9') must display anchor lights when anchored in or near a narrow channel, fairway, or anchorage, or where other vessels normally navigate. Mooring fields are usually excluded.

A 360-degree white all-around light with two-mile visibility fulfills this requirement.

[John A]

I really hate to stir the pot again.

But!

Entering an anchorage or Mooring field in the dark is really not prudent seamanship.
There are to many boats without any lights on.

Better to plot your arrival time for daylight hours or stand off until daylight.

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by John A

I really hate to stir the pot again.

But!

Entering an anchorage or Mooring field in the dark is really not prudent seamanship.
There are to many boats without any lights on.

Better to plot your arrival time for daylight hours or stand off until daylight.

In this part of the world the only moorings are for small boats in water that’s too shallow for me to anchor.
Entering many anchorages at night is safe, but it would be a lot easier if all anchored boats displayed a reasonable anchor light. This should be done at least as a courtesy to boats arriving after dark.
If you do not display a reasonable anchor light you are relying on the skill of the arriving skipper to avoid you.
I have seen many boats motoring around in anchorages after dark that do not inspire me to trust them to this degree.
Display a nice bright anchor light.

The incompetent skipper will probably not hit you and the competent skipper, that would not have hit you anyway, will thank you.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

In this part of the world the only moorings are for small boats in water that’s too shallow for me to anchor.
Entering many anchorages at night is safe, but it would be a lot easier if all anchored boats displayed a reasonable anchor light. This should be done at least as a courtesy to boats arriving after dark.
If you do not display a reasonable anchor light you are relying on the skill of the arriving skipper to avoid you.
I have seen many boats motoring around in anchorages after dark that do not inspire me to trust them to this degree.
Display a nice bright anchor light.

The incompetent skipper will probably not hit you and the competent skipper, that would not have hit you anyway, will thank you.

As a note; entering a mooring field, one should be at a very slow speed anyway, if nothing more then just a courtesy to people being aboard. Some places it's the speed law.

[DJBrookster]

It's not courtesy it's law! I'm aghast, boaters should know this.

[barnakiel]

Law? I am the law!

White light 360 degs. Does not have to be on the mast.

It is not against the law to show other lights unless they can be misleading.

b.

[psneeld]

Originally Posted by DJBrookster

It's not courtesy it's law! I'm aghast, boaters should know this.

Really? I know it's a state law in NJ (not sure about all states) ...it's not a federal law..and I guess it's hit or miss in foereign countries.
Definitely a courtesy...but I'd be interested if it's actually universally "a law"

[blgklr]

Agree that lighting requirements vary by size and sometimes location of vessel, more is better. One point hang lights higher and away from sitting areas that way flying insects are drawn away from that area. How many of you use or have seen used black balls in daylight?

[psneeld]

Originally Posted by blgklr

Agree that lighting requirements vary by size and sometimes location of vessel, more is better. One point hang lights higher and away from sitting areas that way flying insects are drawn away from that area. How many of you use or have seen used black balls in daylight?

When I had my sailboats I used day shapes regularly...steaming cone, anchor ball

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by DJBrookster

It's not courtesy it's law! I'm aghast, boaters should know this.

You've never been to Roche Harbor, Ah! There are so many visitors that pass thru there that the locals don't giveAdamn.

[barnakiel]

I have quickly consulted The Mariner's Handbook and 'aghast' is not there. Is it some yankee jargon or somethin'?

b.